Obituaries
Norma Jean Kinnison
Funeral service for Norma Jean Kinnison will be 11 a.m. Friday, February 11, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in
Union Hall Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is 4-8 p.m., Thursday, February 10, at Riverwood and will resume at 10 a.m. Friday before the service.
Mrs. Kinnison, 70, of Brookhaven, passed from this life February 6, 2022, at her residence. She was born August 24, 1951, to O.W. Smith
and Juanita Thornton Smith. She was a member of Union Hall Baptist Church.
Mrs. Kinnison is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Chris Rushing; brother, Paul Smith; and sisters, Joyce Watts, and Mary Ann Smith.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are, her husband of 30 plus years, Robert “Bobby” Kinnison; son, Scott Rushing; sisters, Linda Coon
and Judy Boyd; and two grandchildren. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Peggy Ann Hedgepeth
Graveside service will be held for Peggy Hedgepeth, 1 p.m., Wednesday, February 9, at Rosehill Cemetery.
Hazel G. Bodin
Funeral service for Hazel G. Bodin will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Riverwood Family with interment
at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery in Jeanerette, LA. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Hazel G. Bodin lived through a century of changes. Her journey began July 20, 1921, in Patoutville, Louisiana,
born to Andre Sidney Guillotte and Marie Philomene Sedatol Guillotte and departed this life February 5, 2022, she was 100 years old.
Hazel and her husband, Royal, moved from Louisiana to Brookhaven in the 1950’s. They raised three children here, Glenn, Sydney, and Van.
After the death of Royal, she poured her energy and efforts into rearing Glenn, Sydney and Van. She taught them the importance of family
and how to watch out for each other, and the value of just being together. She was always involved in the local Catholic Church, St. Francis.
Hazel enjoyed working in her flower garden, and in her younger years, she would sew and take care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She also could create wonderful meals for her family. She enjoyed watching golf as well.
Mrs. Bodin is preceded in death by her husband, Royal Bodin, son, Glenn Bodin, and her parents.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are, her son, Van Bodin and wife, Lisa; daughter, Sydney Gardner;
daughter-in-law, Debby Bodin; five grandchildren, Leslie Britt, Kelsey Myers (Chet), Ashley Croas (Si), Amber Smith (Brandon),
Andrew Bodin (Amanda); 13 great grandchildren, Jacob Britt, Sydney Kay Britt, Caleb Myers, Taylor Myers, Duncan Hall, Anabell Hall,
Alyssa Croas, Kade Croas, Aiden Bodin, Alyx Bodin, Gavin Smith, Lainey Smith, and Hayden Smith. She also leaves behind numerous other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 227 E Cherokee St, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
Marinia Faye Smith
Graveside service for Marinia Faye Smith will be 10 a.m., Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Union Church Cemetery. Rev. Billy Joe Deer will officiate.
Mrs. Smith, 63, of Union Church, passed away February 2, 2022, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. She was born in Natchez, MS, May 2, 1958, to John William Thorpe and Sallie Mae Thorpe. She worked in the medical field as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was a member of Union Church Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith was a devoted servant of God and enjoyed being with her faith family. She was also a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and truly cherished time spent with her family. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, John Wade Thorpe.
She is survived by her husband of 44 ½ years, Joey Craig Smith; son, Craig William Smith; daughter, Melissa Faith Sandifer and husband, Dusty Wayne; brothers, Lloyd Thorpe and Jim Thorpe; sisters, Janet Tarver, Linda Irby, and Liz Haralson; one precious grandson, Colton Wayne Sandifer; and a host of nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Ercel Edward Knight
Mr. Ercel Edward Knight, 81, of Brookhaven, passed away February 1, 2022, in Brookhaven, MS. He was born in Laurel, MS, May 23, 1940, to Talmage Knight and Myrtel Rodgers Knight. He was a truck driver in the logging industry. Mr. Knight enjoyed fishing and watching old westerns on television. Family was of great importance to him. Given the opportunity, he would gladly share the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Knight is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Margret Eloise Knight; and his parents.
He is survived by his sons, John Douglas Knight and Charles Edward Knight; brothers, James Buford Knight and Harold Knight; sister, Barbara Holifield; six grandchildren, Stormie Knight, John Knight, Brett Knight, Skylar Knight, Maygun Knight, and Mason Knight; and by five great grandchildren, Braylen Knight, Kyle Knight, Deantez Collins, Damon Thornhill, and Wynter Thornhill. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Leslie Earl Naab
Mr. Leslie Earl Naab, 84, of Brookhaven, MS, passed from this life January 30, 2022, in McComb, MS. He was born at home in Hutton Township, Coles County, IL, March 12, 1937, to Harold Edward Naab and Opal Lorena Bostic Naab.
Mr. Naab served his country as staff sergeant in the United States Air Force and worked as a jet mechanic during the Korean War. He was self-employed as an electrical contractor and enjoyed time spent in his workshop as well as camping and traveling the country. Mr. Naab was a lover of animals especially his pet poodle, Pookey. He enjoyed hitting the flea markets and rummage sales with his wife and friends. He was a friend to all and always there to lend a helping hand. He was always the tower of strength in the family yet the most silent. He recently moved to Brookhaven, MS from Decatur, IL to be with his son and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Kathy Naab, his brother Harold Eugene Naab and Sisters Alberta Frances Glover, and Rita Bell Lammers.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Barbara Naab of Brookhaven, MS; son, Tim Naab and wife Cindy of Brookhaven, MS; sister, Pat Kunz and husband, Ed of Decatur, IL; three grandchildren, Leslie Naab of Brookhaven, MS, Jamie Naab Meredith and husband, Mitch of Burnside, KY, and Katy Armstrong Lambert and husband, Jeff Of Warrensburg, IL; eight great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Dan Weathersby Ashley
Mr. Dan Weathersby Ashley of Meadville, MS, completed his journey here January 30, 2022, in Meadville. He was born in Natchez, MS, July 13, 1940, to George Houston Ashley and Edna Adams Ashley. He was 81 years of age.
Mr. Ashley joined the Naval Reserves in high school. Later, he served his country in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Guam. He was employed with Armstrong Rubber Company for many years and most recently, Zeon Chemicals. His favorite things in life were listening to good music, especially Jimmy Buffet, taking walks, reading a good book and traveling through this beautiful country. He was a faithful provider for his family and loved his children and grandchildren above all things. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Bude and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Ashley is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dean Ashley; son-in-law, David “Tubb” Southerland; and his great-granddaughter, Ramsey Kaye Hill.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his son, Eric Ashley of Oakland Park, FL; daughter, Eileen Ashley Southerland of Meadville, MS; two grandchildren, Allan Hill and husband, Stan, Jordan Skinner and husband, Tom; and three great grandchildren, John Dale Hill, Emme Skinner, and Waylon Hill.
A private memorial will be held to honor Mr. Ashley’s memory.
Mrs. Gary Marcelle Nelson
Funeral service for Mrs. Gary Marcelle Nelson will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 2, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 1 at Riverwood.
Mrs. Nelson, 77, of Brookhaven, passed from this life January 30, 2022, at St Dominic Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was born in McComb, October 27, 1944, to Elmer Johnson and Eva Mae Wilkerson Johnson. She worked as a hairdresser and in later years she was a caregiver. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kristi Thornton; son, Eddie Nelson, Jr.; sister, Wonzie Matlock; and brother, Nicholas Johnson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 46 years, Eddie Nelson; son, Reggie Thornton; daughter, Theresa Watson; brother, Clyde Johnson; five grandchildren, Shauna Smith, Tara Tanner, Ramsey Thornton, Landon Nelson, and Courtney Watson; 12 great grandchildren, Taylor Kennedy, Hayden McGill, Bishop Kennedy, Dylan McGill, Natalie Bergenron, Chloe McGill, Gracie Tanner, Lyndsey McGill, Dalton Thornton, Jackson Thornton, Addison Thornton, and Rory Reid; and one great great grandchild, Casen McGill. She is also survived by best friends, Phillip and Vera Boyles, Ray and Faye Reid, and Mrs. James Biggs.
Rosemary Smith Case
With sadness our family announces that Rosemary Smith Case passed away on January 11, 2022.
Rosemary was a longtime hairdresser in Brookhaven, Mississippi.
You may leave your condolences or light a candle for Rosemary and the family here.
She was born on October 8, 1946 in Brookhaven Mississippi.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her father and mother, Louis and Omie Smith and her brother, Ray Smith and his wife Mary Louise, all from Brookhaven.
She is survived by her sister, Judy Smith Townsend, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rosemary will be missed. May she Rest In Peace.
Bonnie Janell Bradley
Funeral service for Bonnie Janell Bradley will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Liberty, MS, with interment in the New Zion Cemetery. Visitation is Monday, January 31, from 4-8 p.m. at Zion Hill.
Mrs. Bradley, 65, of Smithdale, passed away January 27, 2022, in McComb, MS. She was born in Rusk County, TX, April 1, 1956, to Cecil Parker and Elvie Victoria Lunsford Parker.
“NeNe” was an active member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. There she served in various areas including worship leader. She loved singing praise and worship to her Savior. Her biggest accomplishment was making sure that her grandkids knew she was the sweetest “NeNe” in the world. Not only did the grands know it, EVERYONE knew it.
She loved to travel, the mountains and beach were her favorite. The mountains gave her beautiful sight seeing and shows at area theatres. The beach, though, the beach is where she showed the world her unmatched and most envied volleyball skills. She was always eager to get out in the yard with kids for a game of baseball, everyone always clambered to get “NeNe” on their team. Everyone that knew her, loved her. She was kind, loving and encouraging. She loved to laugh and when she did, it instantly made you laugh too. Her smile was beautiful: warm and genuine. If she was smiling, you were smiling with her because it made you feel happy.
“NeNe”, most importantly, loved her Savior. She lived each day glorifying Him in the way she walked and talked. If she wasn’t speaking of her Savior, she was singing about Him and His goodness. She was the mightiest of prayer warriors, you knew if she said, “I’m praying for you”, that she genuinely was and it was powerful. You could feel Him in the room when she spoke, it was a palpable and comforting feeling to be covered in her prayers. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
“NeNe” is preceded in death by her son, Danny Maurice Dixon, Jr. “Dandy”; her parents; brother, William Parker and wife, Carolyn; and brother-in-law, Armando Pegueros.
Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are her husband of 16 years, David “Dave” Bradley; daughters, Renee Kirkland (David), Tina Ginn (Greg), Sarah Bradley, Davilynn Paige Mendoza (Beto); brother, Cecil Litt Parker (Anita); sisters, Edith Pegueros, Mary Maxine Osborne, and Ellen Nevil (Thomas); grandchildren, Karlyn Paulet (Adrien), Hunter Ginn (Mattie), Steven Ginn (Kayley), Hannah Ginn, Gabby Kirkland, Ford Kirkland, Katelynn Kirkland, Caden Mendoza, Anna Leece Mendoza, Paul Mendoza, Tristan Bradley, Nathanael McCabe, and Savannah Ruiz. She also leaves behind other loving family members, friends, honorary daughters, and grandchildren, Cindy Smithers (Jeremy), Braden and Tae Blanks and Delanie Blanks, Bo Smithers, Briley Smithers, Blake Smithers, Angie Kirkland (Brian), Colby and Grant Leake, Reagan Kirkland, and Aaden Kirkland; and a host of nieces and nephews.
